Eagles coach Chip Kelly looks to expand his Rye home

RYE — Professional football coach Chip Kelly has a project away from the gridiron this offseason: renovating his home on Wentworth Road in Rye.

Joey Cresta

RYE — Professional football coach Chip Kelly has a project away from the gridiron this offseason: renovating his home on Wentworth Road in Rye.

With his Philadelphia Eagles now eliminated from the NFL playoffs, Kelly may have more time to focus on the upgrades that are planned for the property he owns at 33 Wentworth Road.

On Wednesday night, the Rye Zoning Board of Adjustment granted Kelly the required variances for a proposed new addition at the front of the house, updates to patio areas and the addition of a “Captain's Walk” at the roof line.

The variances were required because the front addition and rear deck are within a 100-foot tidal buffer; the project expands the “bulk” of the existing non-conforming dwelling; and the proposed lot coverage is nearly twice what is allowed.

According to documents filed with the town, the renovations would reduce the number of bedrooms from four to three, but would increase the living space from 1,782 square feet to 2,072 square feet. The total size of the addition is 420 square feet.

The plans propose reducing the coverage of the existing driveway, and the total lot coverage would decrease from 6,558 square feet to 6,110 square feet.

According to a letter from town Building Inspector Peter Rowell, shoreland protection and wetlands permits from the state are required for the project.

Kelly retained TMS Architects of Portsmouth for the renovation. The first-year pro football coach noted in a letter to the town that TMS Architects has “full authority” to proceed with the plans, as his work schedule may preclude him from communicating with the town directly.

The 1935 Cape Cod-style home neighbors the home of investment banker and Wentworth by the Sea Country Club owner Bill Binnie. According to online assessing records, Kelly's home was purchased last July by Penhallow Properties LLC for $1.25 million from Richard Ade.

A New Hampshire native and graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Kelly worked on the coaching staff for the UNH football team from 1994 until he was hired as offensive coordinator for Oregon in 2007. From 2009 through 2012, he served as Oregon's head football coach.

He joined the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, signing a five-year $32.5 million contract and enjoying success in his first year in the NFL. He helped to turn around a team that was 4-12 the year before, coaching the Eagles to a regular season record of 10-6 and winning the NFC East before being eliminated on a last-second field goal in a wildcard playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 4.

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